Is Dunn Loring safe?
Tysons, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Dunn Loring as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Dunn Loring
“Go. Dunn Loring is an exceptionally safe, prosperous suburban community adjacent to the Mosaic District and Tysons. Visitors will encounter virtually no violent crime risks, with safety concerns limited mostly to basic vehicle security in transit parking decks.”
About the area
Dunn Loring is a quiet, well-maintained residential and transit-oriented hub in Fairfax County centered around its Metrorail station. It seamlessly blends mid-rise modern apartments and retail around Avenir Place with peaceful, established single-family neighborhoods.
- Safe & Affluent
- Transit-Oriented
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban Calm
Walking and biking in Dunn Loring
Walk score: 64/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are positioned at the Metro entrance, offering easy connections along Gallows Road to the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail corridor.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low, ranking among the safest suburban submarkets in the Washington metro area
- High socioeconomic baseline with median household incomes well over $150,000 and low poverty rates
- Direct regional transit connection via the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metrorail station
- Clean, modern infrastructure with active community presence and Fairfax County Police coverage
Cons
- Occasional vehicle property theft and catalytic converter theft in commuter garages and apartment decks
- Heavy vehicular congestion along major arteries such as Gallows Road and Route 29
- Pockets outside the central transit plaza lack continuous sidewalk connectivity and require a car
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Dunn Loring, with no established encampments and only sporadic, brief panhandling at major intersection off-ramps.
What Dunn Loring is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active, safe, and orderly as commuters walk to the Metro station and locals walk dogs through quiet residential lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very relaxed and secure, with light foot traffic around grocery stores, cafes, and apartment plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Comfortable and vibrant around Avenir Place dining establishments, feeling completely safe for pedestrians.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet with minimal foot traffic; very safe, though residential side streets are dim and car-dominated.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is anchored by the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metrorail station on WMATA's Orange Line, supported by Fairfax Connector bus routes 401, 402, and 463 connecting to Tysons and Vienna.
Ample parking is available in the multi-level WMATA park-and-ride commuter garage and customer garages at Avenir Place (often free for 2 hours with validation), with residential permit restrictions on nearby neighborhood streets.
Things to do in Dunn Loring
- Explore the dining and shopping options within the Avenir Place plaza adjacent to the Metro
- Connect to the nearby Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail for long-distance biking or walking
- Take a short walk or drive to the neighboring Mosaic District for outdoor films, farmers markets, and boutique dining
Local favorites
- Lost Dog Cafe - Dunn Loring · Pizza & Sandwich Shop · 4.6★ (1250)Popular local staple offering inventive specialty pizzas, stacked sandwiches, craft beer, and animal rescue support.
- Open Road Grill · American Grill · 4.5★ (2350)Lively nearby gathering place serving craft cocktails, scratch-made American entrees, and draft beers with outdoor patio seating.
- District Dumpling · Asian Restaurant · 4.4★ (460)Casual, modern eatery near the station serving freshly prepared handmade dumplings, noodle dishes, and sides.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.